South Dakota voter files include public records and privacy protections

County auditors keep voter registration records and make the county master file available for public inspection. The county master file includes voter registration information and absentee ballot application details, such as the listed mailing address and voting method. The master file is free to inspect, but Social Security numbers, driver license numbers, nondriver identification numbers, and birth month and day are not public. Purged or unregistered voters are excluded from the master file, and their registration forms are kept for twenty-two months. Auditors produce a record of the master file by 11:59 p.m. on the day before a scheduled county primary or general election and keep a rolling five-year archive.

The secretary of state keeps a free, rolling five-year archive of the statewide voter registration file and weekly updates. The archive contains the complete statewide voter registration file, including weekly updates. Social Security numbers, driver license numbers, nondriver identification numbers, and birth month and day in the archive are not open to public inspection.

The law keeps certain home and personal contact details out of public voter files for covered judges and law enforcement officers. The protection covers current or retired state or federal judges and justices, and law enforcement officers. The protected details are home addresses, home or personal telephone numbers, and personal email addresses. The official's city and county remain public, and a violation does not create a private right to sue.